Chapter 9
I was about to step out from behind the counter—
but immediately turned back and looked at the part-timer’s phone.
The tournament promo video was zoomed in on a man.
“……”
For a split second, my breath stopped.
Not noticing my expression stiffen, the part-timer excitedly said,
“You know Baek Heean, right? The world’s number one in both real life and the game. He’s insanely handsome too, so he has tons of fans worldwide.”
“…Don’t tell me you’re a fan of that guy.”
“What?! You’re not?! How can you know GOF and not be a fan of Ian—no, Baek Heean? If you watch his gameplay once, you’ll fall for him instantly. He’s a legend!”
“……”
Damn it.
I almost snapped back, asking why a guy is fangirling over another guy—
But picking a fight with someone this obsessed would only drain my already low HP.
I turned around and lifted the counter bar again.
“I’ll watch it at home.”
“Hey, don’t go! It’s more fun together! You have to watch Baek Heean’s legendary clips, okay?!”
Damn it.
I rushed out of the convenience store, feeling irritated.
Ian.
Real name, Baek Heean.
The undisputed number one in both the game and reality.
That guy—
was the main reason my leg ended up like this after that accident in college.
Inside my GOF personal waiting room.
As soon as I logged in, I checked the tournament news I heard at the store.
Sitting on the sofa in my transparent, space-like waiting room, I browsed the internet.
[StarOracle announces upcoming global VR combat tournament for God of Fighters (GOF)… “The world will be watching.”
I opened an article.
[StarOracle Games has officially announced a global tournament for its popular VR action game, God of Fighters (GOF).
Details regarding the format and schedule will be revealed later.
This will be the first VR combat tournament of its kind, and attention is focused on how it will be conducted.
As it is the first attempt, StarOracle has announced that a beta tournament will begin soon.
StarOracle is the company that made GOF.
They made a fortune from it.
The developer is known as a once-in-a-generation genius.
But according to that idiot constellation—
This game wasn’t made by humans alone but with knowledge given by constellations.
What a crazy world.
Whether that’s true or not doesn’t matter.
“Why even bother with a beta? Just start the real tournament already.”
【It’s the last chance for constellations without partners to find players. Also for promotion, and to test the system.】
So these “AIs” weren’t just data after all.
Even now, I still wondered if I’d gone crazy—
But if it’s true, it’s ironic.
Players pray to gods for good summons—
But in reality, constellations were choosing them.
No wonder they act so arrogant.
“Can we earn coins in the beta?”
【Maybe. But don’t expect much. It’s just a test. And constellations prefer later stages where players are proven.】
As expected.
【Aren’t you interested in prize money from humans? It should be decent.】
“What? How much?”
【No idea.】
“…”
Then don’t bring it up.
Still—
I hadn’t thought about that.
Coins and prize money?
Now I wanted in even more.
‘Fix my leg with coins… spend the money freely. First, I’ll move out. No, first I’ll eat proper meals three times a day.’
Thinking about it made my hunger worse.
Today, I barely ate anything—
It’s just leftover convenience store food.
I licked my lips and kept browsing.
No info on prize money yet.
Then I remembered—
the streamer who contacted me.
I searched my nickname.
Immediately, videos popped up.
One was titled
“GOF World Rank #12 Chicken-nim Raid Gameplay”
I opened it and checked the comments.
Even though I didn’t perform at my best—
There were lots of positive reactions.
—LOL people saying Chicken is Baek Heean’s alt, come out now
—That speed is insane
—Even top players obey them
—Is that power leak before the tournament?
—Get Chicken on a broadcast
—S-rank clear in hell mode… only Ian could do that before
—If they’re a hunter, that’s scary
—Definitely not Baek Heean
—Who would win in 1v1?
—We need to know Korean rankers before the tournament
—I’m in love with Chicken’s character
—Skill output is crazy
—Why is “sold out, man” comment so funny
—No matching combat style among Korean hunters… maybe not a hunter?
—I want daily Chicken content
The constant “hunter” speculation—
was one reason I avoided attention.
‘I wish I were either a hunter or an athlete.’
That’s the truth.
I already knew I was somewhat famous.
But it didn’t matter.
Nothing changed.
Still—
Watching someone make money off my gameplay annoyed me.
Especially since the channel had over 600,000 subscribers.
“Maybe I should stream too.”
I could easily do what they did.
The constellation immediately objected.
【What? Before an important tournament? Absolutely not. Only weak players stream.】
“I wasn’t asking you.”
【Tch. Rude.】
It complained, but less aggressively than before.
Ever since I accepted the tournament—
It had calmed down.
“I want money.”
【Just buy it with coins.】
“The real tournament isn’t even here yet. And I need 50,000 coins to fix my leg. I can’t spend any until then.”
【You’re worrying about nonsense for someone who negotiated such a ridiculous deal.】
“Shut up. I need money.”
I created a video channel using my nickname.
Then used GOF’s built-in streaming system to connect.
Room created.
Title:
[LIVE] GOF / ChickenFireSlap 1v1 / PvP / Need money / Donations only
[Start streaming?]
“Done.”
【‘Need money’? ‘Donations only’? Just beg properly.】
“I am.”
Tonight’s dinner—
chicken.
Of course, I didn’t know yet—
that earning money from streaming takes time.
And requirements.
【You should be practicing skills instead of this nonsense.】
“If you’re bothered, donate.”
【I can’t. That would disqualify me. Also, the 100 coins I gave you were illegal. I’ll have to take them back later.】
“…”
What a stingy bastard.
“Then shut up. Life is now.”
I’m getting that chicken.
I glanced at the constellation—
and pressed [Yes].
